Icy temperatures and organizational issues shorten the LPGA season opener. Nelly Korda capitalizes and celebrates her 16th Tour victory.
The season-opening tournament of the LPGA Tour, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, was scheduled to take place from January 29 to February 1 at the Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida. However, unusually cold and very windy weather in the Sunshine State forced the tournament officials to cancel the final round.
Two tournaments ran concurrently on the course. The LPGA season opener was played in a 72-hole stroke play format, while a tournament with the best qualified amateurs from the week-long Pro-Am competition was also held. Each professional player was paired with two celebrities or amateurs, with the celebrity partners changing each round. The amateurs and celebrities competed under a Modified Stableford scoring system.
Nelly Korda Seizes Chaos to Secure 16th LPGA Title
Despite setting the pace with a strong 64 on Saturday and holding a three-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard, Nelly Korda’s tournament was marred by organizational chaos according to on-site observers. Eight players had to abandon their third round early on Saturday due to plummeting temperatures and high winds, and could only finish their rounds on Sunday afternoon. Ultimately, Korda secured her 16th LPGA Tour title. Amy Yang finished second, three strokes behind, followed by Brooke Henderson in third place.
The decision to end the LPGA tournament prematurely on Sunday was delayed significantly by tournament officials, sparking major criticism regarding the management and communication. The final day in Orlando began with temperatures as low as -4°C (25°F) and wind gusts up to 24 km/h (15 mph). Organizers repeatedly postponed the start of the final round to wait for better conditions. When temperatures rose merely to 4°C (39°F), officials declared the tournament unplayable despite forecasts indicating warmer weather later on Monday.
According to the LPGA, the combination of low temperatures and strong winds caused balls to roll uncontrollably over the greens, making play impossible. Meanwhile, the amateur competition began at 10 a.m. with a nine-hole round.
Confusion Over Differing Treatment of Players
Golf journalist Beth Ann Nichols from the American newspaper Golfweek, present at the event, commented on the situation on social media. Journalists waited in the press room from 10 a.m. seeking explanations for why amateur players could complete more than nine holes while LPGA players waited in the clubhouse to learn the fate of the final day. Even after four hours, no new information was provided by the LPGA about how or if the tournament would continue.
In an official LPGA statement on Sunday afternoon, it was announced that \”After discussions among rules officials, tournament staff, partners, and course management, it was decided to shorten the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions 202